David R. Bell

Friday

David R. Bell, formerly of West Caldwell and Caldwell N.J., passed away April 23, 2013 at the Briarleaf Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Doylestown. He was 83.

Born in New York, he was the son of the late Francis and Mabel Bell. He is also the brother of the late Francis Bell.

David will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 51 years, Elizabeth 'Chip' Bell; his beloved son, Dr. John D Bell and his wife, Joanne L Bell, of Bedminster, Pa.; and four grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, Jason and Jillian Csaszar, also of Bedminster.

David grew up in the Caldwell's, attending school there; and then finished his education at the University of Alabama. He served his country honorably with the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.

David was a member of the West Caldwell police department, rising up the ranks to acting Chief. While a Lieutenant, he graduated from the FBI National Academy 110th Session in Quantico, Va. in 1977. He retired from West Caldwell after serving 28 years, and then became the Chief of police in Deerfield, Mass. for the next 13 years. He attended both the N.J. State Police and FBI Academys' forensic art courses, eventually doing forensic art drawings for various Massachusetts communities as a composite artist. He retired from the Deerfield Police Departent in 1994.

While in Deerfield, he was a member and president of the South Deerfield Rotary Club and served as the president of the Western Massachusetts Chiefs of Police.

David was an amazing artist and enjoyed doing water color and oil paintings, as well as wood carvings. Much of his free time was spent at Stratton Mountain, Vt., with his wife and family.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, PA 18901. Burial will be private.